JAI was delighted to launch the Jaguar Land Rover 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenge programme in St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, Co. Clare. Students from eight schools across Ireland will learn how to design and code vehicles of the future thanks to this unique programme.
The Challenge involves three to six team members working together to design and build a radio-controlled four-wheel-drive vehicle, to set specifications. The vehicle must be able to successfully negotiate a specially designed off-road test track emulating real life and it must perform as a full-size SUV would do.
The Challenge raises awareness of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) among students in Ireland and across the world. Spanning age ranges of 11 to 18 the programme changes perceptions of STEM by creating fun and exciting learning environments for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, design and technology.
Student teams from Ennistymon Vocational School, Co. Clare; St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, Co. Clare; Carrigaline Community School, Co. Cork; Loreto Community School Milford, Co. Donegal; St. Paul’s CBS Brunswick Street, Dublin 7; St. Brigid’s College, Loughrea, Co. Galway; Garbally College, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway; and De La Salle College, Waterford are being mentored by Jaguar Land Rover volunteers from Jaguar Land Rover’s Software Engineering Centre in Shannon.
The teams will take part in the National Final at the Technological University of Dublin’s Bolton Street Campus in 2020. They will be scored on track performance and also present their work and knowledge of vehicle design and engineering to a panel of judges with the aim of becoming National Champions.
Nelson Vale, International Project Manager, Engineering in Motion, said: “The Challenge inspires students to broaden their skills, put their classroom learning into practice and push the boundaries of their knowledge. There is a growing demand for roles requiring a knowledge of coding, software engineering and electronics and it’s great to see how the Challenge is inspiring the next generation.”
Helen Raftery, CEO, Junior Achievement Ireland, said “It is critical that industry and education come together to excite young people about studying STEM subjects and the skills required for success. We are excited to partner with Engineering in Motion on this unique programme which will help ensure our students leave school equipped with the skills required for the jobs of tomorrow.”
